Marsee and Mack Homer, Marlins Rally Late in Win Over Reds

Center fielder Jakob Marsee and catcher Joe Mack homered; the Miami Marlins faced a one-run deficit, but an unanswered five-run rally in the eighth and ninth led to an 8-4 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday.

The Marlins (63-61) advance to two games over .500 and evened the series, with a chance to clinch on Sunday.

After a couple of scoreless innings to start, Marsee slugged a solo homer for the game’s first run. He swung on a first-pitch cutter high in the strike zone, thrown for 88.8 miles per hour. It’s Marsee’s seventh homer of the season and he took Brady Singer 386 feet deep on a 100.3 exit velocity.

In the third, right fielder Esteury Ruiz committed a fielding error, similar to left fielder Herbierto Hernandez on Friday, and third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes reached. Second baseman Matt McLain doubled and advanced the represented tying run to third. After shortstop Elly De La Cruz struck out, first baseman Sal Stewart fouled to left field, nearly homered had it been fair, but singled to the right instead, and drove two runs in.

The Reds had their first lead of the game.

However, momentum didn’t last long, as Mack slugged a solo homer to tie the game. He swung on a first-pitch sweeper down the middle, thrown for 83.2 miles per hour. Mack went 385 feet deep on a 106.7 exit velocity. The 23-year-old became the franchise leader in home runs (12 thus far) by a rookie primary catcher in a single season.

The Marlins started the fifth the same as the game, Marsee in the batter’s box. He singled, then reached second off an error by right fielder Noelvi Marte. Second baseman Xavier Edwards advanced Marsee to third with a sacrifice bunt. Hernandez singled and drove him in to regain the lead.

Despite the shift, Hayes and McLain brought extra power to the batter’s box, slugging back-to-back homers, both to left field. The Reds reclaimed the lead to close the fifth.

The Marlins had an opportunity to respond in the seventh, with two runners in scoring position, but Hernandez and first baseman Griffin Conine struck out swinging, then shortstop Otto Lopez grounded out. However, the “Fighting Fish” kept the rallying effort going in the eighth.

Designated hitter Owen Caissie got it started with a hit by pitch, then Mack advanced him to third with a single to right field. Third baseman Graham Pauley drove the tying run home through a sacrifice fly. After a couple of walks, the Marlins had a bases-loaded situation presented.

Hernandez singled and drove two in to regain the lead. Conine added another run to the scoreboard, which secured the Marlins’ comeback win. Pauley drove in Caissie in the ninth for insurance.

Ryan Gusto lasted 4.2 innings, allowed six hits and two earned runs, including Hayes and McLain’s homers, while striking out six batters. The Marlins bullpen didn’t give up another run and closer Pete Fairbanks. Four batters finished with multi-hit performances, including Marsee going four-for-four.

"We're out there competing our hearts out," Mack told Steve Storm of Marlins Radio Network after the win. "It's a big win for us. All together, great day today, and very excited for the team.

A final outing against the Reds is scheduled for Sunday at 1:40 p.m. E.T.